NEW YORK – The Columbia archery team had a golden performance at the 2012 Eastern Regional Intercollegiate Archery Championships, April 21-22 in Williamsport, Pa., as seniors Anna Harrington and Sydney Shaefer won gold medals in the recurve and compound divisions, respectively, while leading the Lions to a gold medal team performance in the women’s recurve bracket.

"The team was so focused and ready for this," head coach Derek Davis said. "I was elated at how well everyone did. We really shined in the team round and had scores that would have defeated any of the men's teams. I super happy with everyone's performance. It just what we need headed into Nationals."

The recurve team of Anna Harrington, Sarah Chai and first-year Sarah Bernstein demolished the competition in the team round, beating Brandeis 10-3, and James Madison 11-7, to take the gold medal. Harrington had the highest score in the qualifying round to lead Columbia to the win.

"Anna blasted a 599 in the qualifier," Davis said. "One of the two 36 arrow sets of that was a personal best for her.”

Harrington was also on fire in the individual round, which saw four Lions advance to the semi-finals. In the bottom of the bracket, senior Sarah Chai advanced to the finals after beating Bernstein, 6-5 in the semis, while Harrington beat teammate Grace Kim, 6-0 to advance to the finals. There, Harrington outshot Chai, 6-2, to take the top spot, while Chai earned silver for her efforts, And Bernstein won the bronze medal match, beating Kim, 6-2.

In the compound, senior Sydney Shaefer took the gold medal, winning four matches on her way to the top. In the finals, she edged Nicole Lapinski, 135-131, to win the event.

Up next for the Lions is the USCA National Championships, which will take place Thursday, May 17 through Sunday, May 20 in Harrisonburg, Va.